Funny rabbit: A good starting point

Looking for a film to entertain the kids not long after the Easter holidays? Well, what says Easter more than talking bunny rabbits.

Taking inspiration from Beatrix Potter’s classic tales, Peter Rabbit follows the titular rabbit through all the mischief and mayhem he causes.

Life for Peter (James Corden) seems idyllic. That is, until the high-strung Mr Thomas McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) turns up, determined to keep Peter and his family out of his garden.

The rivalry between Peter and Mr McGregor gets turned up a notch as the pair fight for the affection of the animal-loving artist Bea (Rose Byrne).

I know humour is subjective, but I truly found this film funny. In part due to the hilarious pranks Peter and his family pull on Mr McGregor.

It’s very different from Beatrix Potter’s original stories. While some characters retain their original traits, others are warped greatly.

This may anger some of the more hardcore fans. However, it’s a fun film that kids will enjoy with the added bonus that it may encourage them to have a read of Potter’s works.

Peter himself is a flawed character, who grows over the course of the film while still maintaining his mischievous personality. He’s a character kids can both learn from and have a good time with.

There are some nice side stories between some of the other characters, like the romance between Mr McGregor and Bea or the sibling rivalry between Peter’s sister, Flopsy (Margot Robbie) and Mopsy (Elizabeth Debicki).

Sadly, the story arc that got started between Peter and his sister, Cotton-Tail (Daisy Ridley), didn’t end up going anywhere.

Overall, this is an enjoyable film, sure to entertain kids. It’s no replacement for the original books, but it may be a good jumping off point for children who have never read them.